Departmental Expenditure

Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to his Department's finance transparency dataset, 
	(1)  for what reasons £1,260.95 was spent on trips to bowling alleys by his Department; and who was present on those trips;
	(2)  for what reasons £69,923.26 was spent on music and piano stores by his Department;
	(3)  for what reasons £48,057 was spent on bars, pubs and nightclubs by his Department; what the dates were of such trips; who was present; and which venues were visited on each occasion;
	(4)  for what reasons £6,012.82 was spent on shopping trips to cosmetic stores by his Department;
	(5)  for what reasons £8,769.02 was spent on jewellery by his Department;
	(6)  for what reasons £2,004.80 was spent on cinema trips; and who was present on those trips;
	(7)  for what reasons £55,316.41 was spent on theatrical producers;
	(8)  for what reasons £16,584 was spent on trailer parks; and who was present on those trips;
	(9)  for what reasons £9,215.62 was spent at tourist attractions and exhibits; and who was present on those trips.

Peter Luff: Ministry of Defence expenditure paid for by Government Procurement Card is, for security and administrative reasons, reported against merchant transaction categories of VISA'S own taxonomy. The categories, which are designed to provide VISA with data on their customers' business sectors, do not always accurately explain the nature of goods or services procured by the Department, and do not in themselves represent the full audit trail.
	Expenditure listed as ‘trips to bowling alleys’ incurred between 1 April and 30 September 2011 relates to leisure activities organised for Army new recruits as part of their induction into their training programme.
	Expenditure listed as ‘music and piano stores’ (totalling £296,198.34) was incurred between 1 April and 30 September 2011 in support of the Royal School of Music's training programme and on musical instruments for military bands.
	Expenditure listed as ‘bars, pubs and nightclubs’, incurred between 1 April and 30 September 2011, represents the costs of accommodation and meals provided for military and civilian staff on detached duty, military operations and training exercises. I am withholding information on venues to protect the safety of our staff and suppliers.
	Expenditure listed as ‘trailer parks’ incurred between 1 April and 30 September 2011 relates to:
	The use of a local swimming pool by an RAF station to provide sports facilities for new trainees, sports afternoons and rehabilitation therapy.
	Accommodation for an RAF adventure training course.
	Accommodation for a Joint Service Mountain Training Centre adventure training course.
	Duke of Edinburgh award scheme activities in support of new junior soldier training.
	Expenditure listed as ‘tourist attractions and exhibits’ incurred between 1 April and 30 September 2011 relates to:
	Annual car parking for an armed forces careers office.
	Army officer training.
	Acquaint visits to the Portsmouth Naval Base and Museum for potential recruits to the Royal Navy.
	The annual Navy Day.
	An RAF adventure training course.
	Leisure activities in support of new junior soldier training.